· Don Crews (Danville) will be a Staff Services worker
· Carolyn Hughes (Peoria) will be a Feeding Supervisor
· Larry Thompson (Peoria) will be a Shelter worker
· Doug Walker (Champaign) will be a Government Liaison
· Jan Stuckey (Champaign) will be a Government Liaison
· Gary Clayton (Peoria) will be a Feeding worker
· Harley Jones (Peoria) will be the Government Liaison Manager for the entire Louisiana DR

Dick Steeves (Champaign), Lou Fuentes (Champaign), and Gene Schlink (Peoria) are all on standby awaiting their assignment.

If you are interested in volunteering to help locally, or nationally, please call (309) 677-7272.

Leaving from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport

• Walter Lockhart will leave at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28
• Angel Johnson will leave at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28
• Ron Pflederer will leave at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28
• Ashley Bauer will leave at 6:15 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29
• Saroj Saha will leave at 6:15 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29

All five volunteers will work in Red Cross evacuation shelters established for those fleeing the storm.

Leaving from Champaign (Danville Resident)

• Don Crews will be a Staffing worker, leaving Champaign at a time that is still to be determined.

For all except Walter Lockhart this is their first National Disaster assignment.

# # #

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, clothing and other assistance to those in need.  Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter at 311 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave., Peoria, IL 61605 or 404 Ginger Bend Dr., Champaign, IL 61822. Internet users can make an online contribution by visiting www.redcrossillinois.org/donate-online

With temperatures expected to remain well into the 90’s for several days, people, especially the very young and the very old, become susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. The Red Cross urges people to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from heat related illness.

Signs of heat-related illnesses include: nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, you should dial 911 for assistance.

The Red Cross offers the following tips on how to stay cool:
• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible.
• Check on elderly neighbors, especially those without air conditioning. 

KNOW WHAT THESE HEAT-RELATED TERMS MEAN
• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. With heat exhaustion, sweat does not evaporate as it should, possibly because of high humidity or too many layers of clothing. As a result, the body is not cooled properly. Signs include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high – sometimes as high as 105 F.

GENERAL CARE FOR HEAT EMERGENCIES . . .
1. Cool the Body
2. Give Fluids
3. Minimize Shock

• Heat cramps/heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths such as towels or wet sheets.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, wrap them in a cloth and place them on each of the victim’s wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. (Do not use rubbing alcohol because it closes the skin’s pores and prevents heat loss.) Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.

Casi was at work at a local bank when she received word that the apartment she and her fiancée Chad shared was on fire. With Chad in Arkansas with the National Guard, she rushed to the scene to discover that not only had they lost all their photos and personal items in the fire, but also their precious puppy.

A Red Cross volunteer went to their apartment and after hearing her story suggested they use the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces program. Thanks to a call from the Red Cross, Chad’s Lieutenant authorized him to return home so he and Casi could find a new house and begin rebuilding their life together. He was home the next morning.

“We hadn’t had any experience with the Red Cross before this. We never expected that they would do so much for us. We were able to stay in a hotel for a few nights and received help with food and clothing so we would have something to wear to work. But what I think was most surprising was the way the Red Cross volunteer took time out of her day to come to us, to see how we were doing and then help us,” said Casi. “She really opened her arms to us and told us to call her anytime if we needed anything.”

While still grieving over the loss of their puppy, Casi and Chad have plans to move into a new home in August.

Man Collapses While Playing Golf… Good Samaritans Come to His Rescue

“We were sizing up our putts on the 6th green when all of the sudden my friend’s eyes froze open. He stood up straight, and then fell over like a board. He wasn’t breathing and we couldn’t find a pulse,” said Ron. “Our sons were playing with us and they both called 9-1-1 while I started chest compression.”

It was about three minutes before more help arrived.

“Two other golfers, Justin and John, came up to us and indicated they were CPR trained. We let them take over while we called the clubhouse for an AED.” The AED arrived on the scene, along with two physicians and an ambulance. Thanks to the training and quick action of those on the scene, the man is alive and well today.

“I will never regret taking the time to get this training,” said John. “I can’t put a price on the value of the life we saved as a result of these skills.”
Justin and John received their lifesaving CPR and AED training from the American Red Cross.

For more information on Red Cross CPR Training, please visit www.redcrossillinois.org/take-a-class.

July 28

Zoe’s just your average, ordinary 12-year-old. She enjoys spending time with her friends, runs track and plays volleyball. She also spends time helping take care of two-year-old twins Sam and Rachel. “My mom heard about Red Cross Babysitter’s Training and thought it would be a good idea for me to take the class. I love babies, but didn’t know much about taking care of them.”

Zoe’s mom signed her up for the class where she learned how to care for choking emergencies and the basics of first aid. She also learned how to hold, feed, and change infants. “The class was really fun and I learned things I didn’t know. I had never changed a diaper before so we practiced that and I learned what to do if there’s an emergency.”

“I learned a lot and feel more confident helping to take care of Sam and Rachel,” said Zoe.

For more information about Red Cross Babysitter’s Training, including resources for babysitters to use on the job, visit www.redcrossillinois.org/babysitter-training.
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ADVANCED TICKET PURCHASE RECOMMENDED.
Tickets may be purchased at the door.

It is going to be a great event with fabulous food and music. Please come and join in the fun! It is a great way to get involved with the local Red Cross chapter.

We hope to see you there! : )

The Rock N’ Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive is being held to increase blood donations this summer. While local blood inventories are presently stable, they must be maintained during the traditional summer slowdown so patients have the blood they need.

The Rock N’ Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, August 7 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Peoria Civic Center. Several local rock bands will perform including Sinking In, Mindset Evolution and Echovalve. The concert will be 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is free to all blood drive participants!

In addition to the free concert, all blood drive participants will have the chance to win some great raffle prizes from area retailers such as Quail Meadows Golf Course, Taco Bell, Wildlife Prairie State Park, Texas Roadhouse, CEFCU, Shoppes of Grand Prairie, Peoria Town and Country Bowl and more. Also, 105.7 the X will be giving away tickets to the Projekt Revolution Tour featuring Linkin Park. If someone does not wish to present to donate blood, but would like to attend the rock concert, a $10 donation to the American Red Cross will be collected at the event.

After presenting to donate blood, donors can enjoy the free rock concert featuring bands such as Echovalve, Mindset Evolution and Sinking In.

To make a blood donation appointment, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org.

Roll up your sleeve. Donate blood. Rock out at the concert!

While local blood inventories are presently stable, they must be maintained during the traditional summer slowdown so patients have the blood they need. The Red Cross also anticipates other areas of the country will soon face serious blood shortages and must stand ready to help avert shortfalls.

This summer the Red Cross is reminding people that the need for blood doesn’t take a vacation. To ensure that patients in the area and around the country have the blood they need, eligible blood donors are asked to give a little of themselves this summer and help Meet the Need.  Just 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, and only a fraction of those actually donate. If every eligible blood donor gave two or more times, there would not be a blood shortage.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Eligible donors must be at least 16-years-old with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form where state permits, must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.